It’s taken five months and 14 unsuccessful trips in all competitions but Watford are finally able to celebrate an away win again – and in some style – after recording a 4-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday.

Gabriele Angella got the Hornets off to an ideal start by bundling in the opener in the fifth minute and after withstanding a few close calls, a Lewis McGugan header doubled the advantage midway through the opening period.

Things could have got edgy had the Owls been allowed back into the game after the break but, crucially, Watford killed the game as Troy Deeney capitalised on some dreadful defending by the hosts to score a quick-fire double early in the second half to score 20 goals for the second consecutive season.

Although Benik Afobe pulled one back soon after and the Hornets had to survive a couple of other close shaves, the visitors ran out comfortable winners to finally lift themselves over the 50-point mark for the season.

Beppe Sannino made four changes to the side that was on course to beat Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, only to concede an injury-time equaliser in the 3-3 draw.

In came Lloyd Doyley, Cristian Battocchio, Lewis McGugan and Mathias Ranegie following his three-match suspension. Marco Cassetti was not involved while Tommie Hoban, Sean Murray and Alexander Merkel dropped to a bench that also featured new arrival Albert Riera and Almen Abdi after coming through his Herts Senior Cup comeback in midweek.

The Hornets would have hoped to make a strong start as they sought to resolve their travel problems and they got it in the fifth minute.

The goal originated from a Daniel Tozser free-kick which McGugan glanced towards goal at the far post, Chris Kirkland partially managed to save it but Angella bundled in the follow up to put the visitors a goal to the good.

The Owls had come into the game on the back of four successive home wins and they immediately sought to get back on terms as first Manuel Almunia had to push a shot behind and then more questions were asked from two corners in quick succession.

Wednesday continued to ask most of the attacking questions but in the 23rd minute the Hornets doubled their advantage in fine style.

Daniel Pudil was played in down the left flank and he got clear before pulling the ball back to the unmarked McGugan, who guided a header down and past the helpless Kirkland to make it 2-0.

As with the first goal though, Almunia was soon pressed into action again to push away a rising drive from Afobe. But the visitors were soon back on the front foot with McGugan hitting a low drive from 20 yards which Kirkland was comfortably behind.

The next opening for the Hornets came in the 32nd minute when a deft McGugan header gave Ikechi Anya the chance to break away down the right before crossing low into the area. The ball was too far ahead of Ranegie and Deeney was unable to control it first time at the far post but he was able to work it back to Tozser, who saw his piledriver from the edge of the area blocked.

Liam Palmer then dragged a low 20-yard daisy-cutter wide at the other end before Angella picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon for a foul on Lewis Buxton. And Pudil joined his teammate in the referee’s notebook three minutes before the break for sliding in late on Kieran Lee. The resultant free-kick was clipped towards the far post from a central position where Leon Best couldn’t direct his header on target.

Watford were well set at the interval but within four minutes of the restart the Hornets were in an even stronger position as Wednesday’s high defensive line was completely exposed as Anya put Deeney clean through on goal and whether by accident or design, he almost dummied the ball past the hopelessly exposed Kirkland and it rolled into the net to make it 3-0.

And within two minutes, three had become four as Deeney reached the 20-goal landmark.

The goal was frankly a shambles defensively as McGugan was allowed to wriggle away from two opponents on the left before his ball in the area was retrieved at the back post by Battocchio, Ranegie saw his first effort rebound off Kirkland’s left-hand post before his follow-up was blocked and then his strike partner was able to fire in the next effort to score his second in as many minutes.

Wednesday could have collapsed at that point but they showed some spirit and had reduced the deficit to three goals in the 54th minute as the high-octane start to the second period continued. Palmer was the creator with a cross from the right and Afobe rose well around eight yards out to thump a header down and past Almunia to make it 4-1.

Tozser was then booked for a foul on Lee before Kirkland held a shot from McGugan from the left side of the area.

Riera came on for his debut in place of Pudil after 62 minutes and the Owls soon followed suit with a change, replacing Chris Maguire with Atdhe Nuhiu. The substitute was soon involved as he was picked out by a cross from the right but his header didn’t unduly trouble Almunia.

Watford’s next change in the 70th minute was particularly welcome from the substitute’s perspective as Abdi made the second comeback from his foot injury in place of McGugan.

To their credit, the Owls still pressed forward to look for an unlikely way back into the game and Doyley was pressed into action to block a Best shot before the home side made their second change as Caolan Lavery replaced Jeremy Helan.

The Hornets might have had a fifth in the 77th minute when a long pass out of defence found Deeney, who instantly lifted the ball to Ranegie in space to his right. The Swedish striker chose to take the ball early and hit an angled drive well enough but it was straight at Kirkland.

Both sides made their final changes soon after as Davide Faraoni came on for Anya and Jermaine Johnson replaced Afobe. Moments later, Wednesday spurned a fine chance to pull another back when a cross from the left dropped invitingly for Best at the far post but he took his eye off the ball and the opportunity went begging.

Best was unfortunate with four minutes remaining when his shot from inside the area rebounded off the bar after Kirkland had pumped a free-kick forward. Moments later though, a delightful Battocchio pass put Deeney in with a chance to complete his hat-trick but he saw his prod towards goal blocked.

Deeney had another opportunity in injury-time when he was played through a statuesque Wednesday defence by a Ranegie pass but Kirkland slid out of his area and beat him to the ball chance.

The final opening was to fall to the hosts as Lee was found in space on the left side of the 18-yard box but Almunia did well to block to preserve the Hornets’ three-goal winning margin.

jasonwatford wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season

....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...

[quote][p][bold]jasonwatford[/bold] wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season[/p][/quote]....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...demerit

jasonwatford wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season

....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...

The defense had some stability which is great when going forward on the break as the back door is closed.

We can do it, just believe.

[quote][p][bold]demerit[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jasonwatford[/bold] wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season[/p][/quote]....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...[/p][/quote]The defense had some stability which is great when going forward on the break as the back door is closed.
We can do it, just believe.Cuetip

Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.

Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.WFC shoulders

WFC shoulders wrote:
Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.

It would be more informative to get a post from someone who went to get an idea of how the game actually went. It sounds like both sides found defending difficult but they were worse at it than us.

[quote][p][bold]WFC shoulders[/bold] wrote:
Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.[/p][/quote]It would be more informative to get a post from someone who went to get an idea of how the game actually went. It sounds like both sides found defending difficult but they were worse at it than us.Harry's Bar

jasonwatford wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season

....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...

Yes.....and if we score 5 goals in each game we'll have 100 for the season!

[quote][p][bold]demerit[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jasonwatford[/bold] wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season[/p][/quote]....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...[/p][/quote]Yes.....and if we score 5 goals in each game we'll have 100 for the season!Hornankey

jasonwatford wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season

....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...

The defense had some stability which is great when going forward on the break as the back door is closed.

We can do it, just believe.

Generally win more with Doyley, it's a fact

[quote][p][bold]Cuetip[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]demerit[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jasonwatford[/bold] wrote:
Hopefully we will now end this season well and roll onto next season[/p][/quote]....in the Premiership. I said if we win all the rest, we'll be in the play-offs. No one listens to me...[/p][/quote]The defense had some stability which is great when going forward on the break as the back door is closed.
We can do it, just believe.[/p][/quote]Generally win more with Doyley, it's a factBush Hornet

WFC shoulders wrote:
Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.

It would be more informative to get a post from someone who went to get an idea of how the game actually went. It sounds like both sides found defending difficult but they were worse at it than us.

Sheffield Wednesday may have had more possession, but Watford took most of their chances. I don't see how conceding one goal away from home proves that defending was difficult. On the contrary, it suggests that they stood up well.

[quote][p][bold]Harry's Bar[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]WFC shoulders[/bold] wrote:
Is this report jointly used by the club as it again reads like a club story. Guess that is what you get when you have a fan with a laptop writing it. Same template every week, with just the teams, scores and scorers changed. Yawn, yawn.[/p][/quote]It would be more informative to get a post from someone who went to get an idea of how the game actually went. It sounds like both sides found defending difficult but they were worse at it than us.[/p][/quote]Sheffield Wednesday may have had more possession, but Watford took most of their chances. I don't see how conceding one goal away from home proves that defending was difficult. On the contrary, it suggests that they stood up well.WessexLad

Deeny for me, but only if he gets another ten before the season's over. 30 goal player Troy Deeny, saw an article where it mentioned outstanding championship players like Troy Deeny should be looked at and considered for England strikers in world cup.

[quote][p][bold]CARDIFFHORN[/bold] wrote:
That's Player of the Season sewn up for Troy then![/p][/quote]Deeny for me, but only if he gets another ten before the season's over. 30 goal player Troy Deeny, saw an article where it mentioned outstanding championship players like Troy Deeny should be looked at and considered for England strikers in world cup.rogeruk

The shoe-waving was one of the funniest things I have ever seen at a game.

In terms of possession Lord knows how we won 4-1; maybe because we scored 4 and they scored 1?

Match-fit or not Ranegie needs a bomb up his a*se. He's one down from saunter...

Angella and Ekstrand solid in the first half, Doyley immense in the second. Almunia must punch plastic beach balls in training. Troy 'Holton 61' Deeney ran his socks off (Ranegie take note...)

Got busted on the concourse for vaping FFS!!!

All in all a great afternoon. The ex-Spandau Ballet chant one of my favourites ever.

Keep the Faith

VKP

Great support today, both in terms of numbers and sound.
The shoe-waving was one of the funniest things I have ever seen at a game.
In terms of possession Lord knows how we won 4-1; maybe because we scored 4 and they scored 1?
Match-fit or not Ranegie needs a bomb up his a*se. He's one down from saunter...
Angella and Ekstrand solid in the first half, Doyley immense in the second. Almunia must punch plastic beach balls in training. Troy 'Holton 61' Deeney ran his socks off (Ranegie take note...)
Got busted on the concourse for vaping FFS!!!
All in all a great afternoon. The ex-Spandau Ballet chant one of my favourites ever.
Keep the Faith
VKPVet_kills_puppy

SuperHorn wrote:
COYH. Finally an away win. Good to see Almen Abdi make a return and Angella scoring

Aargh, I agree with Cornetto again!!

He was more fun when he was controversial!

COYH

[quote][p][bold]SuperHorn[/bold] wrote:
COYH. Finally an away win. Good to see Almen Abdi make a return and Angella scoring[/p][/quote]Aargh, I agree with Cornetto again!!
He was more fun when he was controversial!
COYHEltonForever

Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows!

Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows!Man from Pinner

SuperHorn wrote:
COYH. Finally an away win. Good to see Almen Abdi make a return and Angella scoring

Aargh, I agree with Cornetto again!!

He was more fun when he was controversial!

COYH

Controversy is my middle name. Have a look at the latest story on the site.

Love ya

HC

[quote][p][bold]EltonForever[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]SuperHorn[/bold] wrote:
COYH. Finally an away win. Good to see Almen Abdi make a return and Angella scoring[/p][/quote]Aargh, I agree with Cornetto again!!
He was more fun when he was controversial!
COYH[/p][/quote]Controversy is my middle name. Have a look at the latest story on the site.
Love ya
HCHornet Cornet

After a long wait a very decent away win. How many times did we out possess our opponents only to lose? Denney seems to have his mojo back and I am glad for him. Also Lloyd again shows why he is rightfully a club legend. A few of our younger players could learn so much from these two - and I hope they do exactly that on the training ground. Mathematically it is still possible which makes the last minute goal against Blackburn all the more painful. The play off door has opened again about an inch, but I still feel we won't get there, so for me I will quietly keep my fingers crossed, but at the same time expect a finish between 8th and 10th. After the season we have had, not a bad return. We have the talent but if we had a few more like Troy and Lloyd, with the heart, we would be much closer, if not already, in the top six. Pleased for Beppe tonight, he seems a good egg.

After a long wait a very decent away win. How many times did we out possess our opponents only to lose? Denney seems to have his mojo back and I am glad for him. Also Lloyd again shows why he is rightfully a club legend. A few of our younger players could learn so much from these two - and I hope they do exactly that on the training ground. Mathematically it is still possible which makes the last minute goal against Blackburn all the more painful. The play off door has opened again about an inch, but I still feel we won't get there, so for me I will quietly keep my fingers crossed, but at the same time expect a finish between 8th and 10th. After the season we have had, not a bad return. We have the talent but if we had a few more like Troy and Lloyd, with the heart, we would be much closer, if not already, in the top six. Pleased for Beppe tonight, he seems a good egg.Henry VIII

LifeLongHornet wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?

....or old ?

[quote][p][bold]LifeLongHornet[/bold] wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?[/p][/quote]....or old ?SAHornet

Man from Pinner wrote:
Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows!

Why does McGugan have a job on his hands to keep his place?

Scored one yesterday, two more assists, our second top scorer, and when he went off we lost our attacking edge.

There must always be a place for him alongside Almen, especially as we are unlikely to have Tozser again next season?

Shame we could only pick up one point at Yeovil, Bolton, Donny and Wigan plus the 2 pts dropped against Blackburn, otherwise we would really be in the play off mix.

[quote][p][bold]Man from Pinner[/bold] wrote:
Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows![/p][/quote]Why does McGugan have a job on his hands to keep his place?
Scored one yesterday, two more assists, our second top scorer, and when he went off we lost our attacking edge.
There must always be a place for him alongside Almen, especially as we are unlikely to have Tozser again next season?
Shame we could only pick up one point at Yeovil, Bolton, Donny and Wigan plus the 2 pts dropped against Blackburn, otherwise we would really be in the play off mix.bristol hornet

LifeLongHornet wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?

...... Or has never gone past defenders not that sort of player according to LFC fans.

[quote][p][bold]LifeLongHornet[/bold] wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?[/p][/quote]...... Or has never gone past defenders not that sort of player according to LFC fans.CARDIFFHORN

LifeLongHornet wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?

...... Or has never gone past defenders not that sort of player according to LFC fans.

Thats a shame, he has fantastic vision though (from what we saw so far). Lets hope after a few weeks or so he could get the confidence to take on defenders, at least when he realises he's playing at a lower level to normal!

[quote][p][bold]CARDIFFHORN[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]LifeLongHornet[/bold] wrote:
Riera looks fantastic! Such a clever player, maybe doesn't run at defenders enough like Pudil or Anya though, perhaps he is unfit?[/p][/quote]...... Or has never gone past defenders not that sort of player according to LFC fans.[/p][/quote]Thats a shame, he has fantastic vision though (from what we saw so far). Lets hope after a few weeks or so he could get the confidence to take on defenders, at least when he realises he's playing at a lower level to normal!LifeLongHornet

Man from Pinner wrote:
Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows!

Why does McGugan have a job on his hands to keep his place?

Scored one yesterday, two more assists, our second top scorer, and when he went off we lost our attacking edge.

There must always be a place for him alongside Almen, especially as we are unlikely to have Tozser again next season?

Shame we could only pick up one point at Yeovil, Bolton, Donny and Wigan plus the 2 pts dropped against Blackburn, otherwise we would really be in the play off mix.

I think the 6 defeats in 7 home games was the real killer and ultimately why Zola went.

[quote][p][bold]bristol hornet[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Man from Pinner[/bold] wrote:
Great team performance. Defence stood firm against a team who to their credit tried to play football. LD got stronger as the game went on.
Toszer was strong in midfield and well supported by Bottochio. Good to see Abdi back who played within himself. McGugan has a job on his hands to keep his place. This is all to the good.
Up top TD cemented his claim to player of the season. Should have scored a third but so what?
Lets hope this form can me maintained for the rest of the season; then who knows![/p][/quote]Why does McGugan have a job on his hands to keep his place?
Scored one yesterday, two more assists, our second top scorer, and when he went off we lost our attacking edge.
There must always be a place for him alongside Almen, especially as we are unlikely to have Tozser again next season?
Shame we could only pick up one point at Yeovil, Bolton, Donny and Wigan plus the 2 pts dropped against Blackburn, otherwise we would really be in the play off mix.[/p][/quote]I think the 6 defeats in 7 home games was the real killer and ultimately why Zola went.micksolly